I'm sorry, Jay, but I can't say "amen" to your characterization of Rick Warren's participation in the inaugural ceremony. Although once you pass the threshold of having two Protestant ministers, it is not unexpected that one or both (in this case, only one since the Rev. Joseph Lowery did not) is going to pray in the name of Jesus. As you know, I think the prayers should have been restricted to the worship service the then-President elect attended earlier in the day. Adding the Lord's Prayer to the end of Warren's own was really over the top, since this is such a well-known Christian intercession.
As he discussed on Larry King's show, Warren doesn't believe non-believers should be elected to public office, at least not to the Presidency. So he still thinks their moral compass is inferior to his own just on the face of it. Also, I don't like people prattling on about "our commitment to freedom and justice for all" when they just participated in a campaign of injustice, in Warren's case his support for passage of California's notoriously discriminatory Proposition 8.
As for that poll about Warren, sorry, but I'm not buying it. Given that very few people know who is on the Supreme Court, the idea that 61% of people even know who Rick Warren is simply stretches credulity.
WARREN GETS NO PASS FROM ME
Tuesday January 20, 2009
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About Lynn v. Sekulow
Lynn v. Sekulow is an ongoing debate blog--a blogalogue--about how big (or little) a role faith and religion should play in American politics and government, featuring the two leading voices of the church/state battle: American Center for Law & Justice Chief Counsel Jay Sekulow and Americans United for Separation of Church and State Executive Director Rev. Barry W. Lynn.
Please note that in discussing political issues, candidates’ positions and political party statements, the Rev. Barry Lynn and Jay Sekulow are offering analysis in their individual capacities as lawyers and commentators. They are not speaking on behalf of Americans United for Separation for Church and State or for the American Center for Law & Justice. Those organizations do not endorse or oppose candidates for public office. Nothing contained in this dialogue should be construed as the positions of the respective organizations.
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Rev. Barry W. LynnExecutive Director of Americans United for Separation of Church and State, a nonprofit educational organization that defends religious liberty by opposing government interference in religion
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Warren is wrong about "nonbelievers", and his opinion that they are unfit for public service is ignorant and bigoted. In fact, he probably doesn't even know the extent of "nonbelievers" in his own life (family, neighbors, friends, etc.), just as he probably fails to see the homosexuals in his own life. I think it is time that we nonbelievers step out of our shells, and start promoting ourselves as the principled, intelligent, freethinking individuals that we are! Can we begin with pointing out that we are underrepresented in the prison system!!!!!!
Barry,
Check out this website, http://avalon.law.yale.edu/18th_century/pa08.asp
The idea that Presidents and elected officials must believe in God is/was actually expected. The reference above is Penn State's 1st Constitution which states:
I do believe in one God, the creator and governor of the universe, the rewarder of the good and the punisher of the wicked. And I do acknowledge the Scriptures of the Old and New Testament to be given by Divine inspiration.
When elected officials do not believe as the statemenet above reads, it is easier for them to sway with man's judgement - which seems to be our Country's current condition - corruption, greed, power
By your evidence, the idea that Presidents and elected officials must believe in God is/was actually expected was true at least at Penn state, and, i would add, a few other misguded institutions and political bodies. It also flies in the face of Article 6, section 3 of the US Constitution.
How do you reconcile your statement with the fact that corruption, greed, & power has most recently been displayed by those who are the most "devout?"
Ah, the Spirit of Truth is talking, but is anyone listening? Sin blinds us from the truth, instead we can only see a shadow of truth through the already tainted lens that we view our world through.
He who has ears, let him hear what the Spirit says and pray for those who can't hear or receive it.
Why should prayer be confined to a worship service? We have "in God we trust" ironed on our money, the phrase "under God" in our Pledge of Allegiance, "So help me God" in the President's and other Officer's oaths, and Laws of Nature and Nature's God in the Declaration of Independence. Let's be proud and celebrate the fact that our country is unique in that it was founded upon Judeo-Christian principles intertwined in America's history.
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